Shangpliang raises abuse of power slur against cabinet minister

Staff ReporterSHILLONG, Oct 09: The MLA representing Mawsynram in the State Assembly has accused a cabinet minister of abusing his power by transferring a senior MCS officer because he had not complied with a request put in by the Minister’s brother.In this regard, Shangpliang said that this has resulted in the transfer of the Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC) of West Jaintia Hills District SC Laloo Jowai to Ampati in South West Garo Hills District.“He (Laloo) was rebuked and scolded by the brother of a Cabinet Minister who used dirty words. This was followed by the Cabinet Minister who threatened the officer that necessary action will be taken for not complying to the request made (by his brother). In the same evening he was transferred to Ampati,” he said.

Shangpliang however refused to name the Cabinet Minister but warned the MDA government led by the National People’s Party (NPP) to refrain from such unhealthy practice less it will disturb the governance in the state.“I urge the state government to stop transferring officers on political reasons. If the government of the day is victimizing its officers like this, it is the people of the state who will be the ultimate victims,” he said.“It is a disappointment to see that transfer orders are issued at the government’s own whims not only for police officers but for MCS officers as well. We fail to understand what kind of message the government is giving to its officers. Governance will grumble and no doubt officers will be demoralized. Therefore, the government of the day should contain itself (from such practice) and instead bring conducive environment for everybody to work,” he added.Alleging that the secretariat is busy issuing transfer orders on a daily basis, the Congress leader also expressed shock while informing that it has been heard that even peons and school teachers are being transferred.He further said that many IAS officers have also left the state and gone to Delhi in the past six months.Earlier last week, Leader of Opposition, Dr. Mukul Sangma had asked the chief minister Conrad Sangma to intervene into the irregular transfers of police officers across different ranks, which he alleged is an outcome of “political interference”.“This whole action resorted to by the authorities due to political interference is in contravention of the provisions of the Meghalaya Police Act 2010, creating an unhealthy precedence which will have a serious bearing in the whole process of Administration of Justice,” Dr. Sangma had stated.